How Sh35 billion project is set to improve voice communications in the aviation sector

Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) is implementing a Sh35 billion project to improve voice communication systems between pilots and air traffic controllers.

The project, under implementation since last year, aims to replace the old system with modern technology in order to address challenges reported by clients.

The project's implementation will increase airlines’ trust, raising the number of flights operating in the country.

Voice communication systems work hand in hand with radars that can provide surveillance in the country's skies by 100 percent.

Speaking at a press conference held on Thursday, October 5, 2023, to brief reporters on the forthcoming Aviation Authority's 20th anniversary TCAA Director General Hamza Johari said it was feedback received from clients, especially airline companies and pilots that prompted the transition to the new technology.

The clients had complained that the system in use for voice communication was outdated.

“They said interference was witnessed when using the system due to the lack of quality. This forced us to start implementation of this project after completing execution of the major radar project,” he said.

“[The government] has provided us with Sh35 billion for this project, which is expected to be completed in April 2024. At that time, TCAA will have the ability to effectively and efficiently conduct surveillance, voice communication, and navigation,” he added.

Counting on TCAA's successes after 20 years of establishment, Mr Johari said they have increased the number of inspectors to 44 from 28, to cater for the expected increased number of aircraft.

During the 20 years of TCAA operations, the number of pilots has increased to 603 from 234.

The number of aircraft operating in the Tanzanian skies has also increased to 206 from the previous 101.

Regarding economic control, the authority has continued to ensure that there is growth, sustainability, and the provision of better services.

“The number of passengers has also increased to 5.723 million from 1.521 million. The number of flights has also increased, with the expectation that numbers will continue to increase at the end of 2023,” he said.

He commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan for the Royal Tour initiative that has increased the number of passengers and tourists visiting the country.

Furthermore, he said that Tanzania now has 154 air traffic controllers, compared to 70 about 20 years ago. The number of air traffic control engineers has also increased from 20 to 44.

Mr Johari said the number of radars has been increased to four from the previous one for surveillance purposes, noting that navigation systems have been installed at the Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (AAKIA), making it the third after the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) and Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA).

Speaking of the challenges, he said the country was facing a shortage of 150 pilots, noting that while demand stood at 780, the actual number remains at 603.

He said that based on the higher costs of training pilots abroad, the National Institute of Transport's (NIT) plans to train pilots domestically would enable the authority to sponsor more Tanzanian youths due to financial capabilities from resources mobilised through a special fund.

“We are also facing infrastructure challenges due to airports' failure to allow planes to land at night, with the exception of JNIA, KIA, AAKIA, Mbeya, and Mtwara airports. Efforts to build the capacity of the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) will address the challenge,” he said.

According to him, Tanzania was facing relatively low competition in the aviation sector, noting that increasing competition would benefit citizens through reduced costs of transport and transportation of goods,” he said.